ENG-2015 — Page 355

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Population and Immigration

Quality Migrant Admission Scheme

The scheme, launched in June 2006, seeks to enhance Hong Kong's pool of human capital by allowing talented people to apply for entry and settlement without first securing an offer of local employment. At the end of 2015, 3,305 places had been allotted to applicants.

Entry as Professionals or Entrepreneurs

Hong Kong maintains an open policy towards professionals entering the city for employment, welcoming those with special skills, knowledge or experience of value to and not readily available in Hong Kong. Overseas entrepreneurs (including start-up entrepreneurs) who can contribute substantially to the economy may also apply to come to Hong Kong to establish or join in a business. Since 1 July 1997, more than 490,000 non-local professionals and entrepreneurs have been admitted via various admission arrangements.

Employment of Non-local Students

Non-local fresh graduates of full-time, locally accredited local programmes at degree level or above may apply to remain in Hong Kong for one year after graduation to take up employment. Returning non-local graduates may also apply to return to Hong Kong for employment, provided the job they have secured is at a level commonly taken up by degree-holders and is remunerated at market rates.

Admission Scheme for the Second Generation of Chinese Hong Kong Permanent Residents

This pilot scheme, launched in May 2015, aims to facilitate the return of the second generation of Chinese Hong Kong permanent residents who have emigrated. Entrants need not have secured a job offer upon their first entry. By the end of 2015, 108 applicants had been approved.

Capital Investment Entrant Scheme

This scheme facilitates the entry of people who invest capital in Hong Kong but do not run a business. It stopped accepting new applications in 15 January 2015. By the end of 2015, 28,243 applicants had received approval, investing a total of $243.6 billion.

Entry of Dependants

Hong Kong permanent residents or residents who are not subject to a limit of stay may sponsor their spouses, unmarried dependent children under 18 and dependent parents aged 60 or above to enter the city as dependants. Those who are admitted under the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme, the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates, the Admission Scheme for the Second Generation of Chinese Hong Kong Permanent Residents or the Capital Investment Entrant Scheme, or are admitted to take up employment as professionals, for investment to establish or join in a business, for training, or for full-time undergraduate or postgraduate studies at local degree-awarding institutions, may also sponsor their spouses and unmarried dependent children under 18 to apply to enter Hong Kong as dependants.

Illegal Immigration

The HKSAR keeps a close watch on illegal immigration: 783 Mainland illegal immigrants were arrested during 2015, 6 per cent more than in 2014; 2,278 Vietnamese illegal immigrants were arrested, 93 per cent more than in 2014; and 1,541 non-ethnic Chinese (excluding Vietnamese)

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